Plant-based food startup Sundial Foods has officially closed its doors, concluding a five-year journey that focused on developing innovative chickpea-based protein products. The company’s intellectual property portfolio has been sold to an undisclosed European food company, marking the end of its operations while setting the stage for its technology to advance under new ownership.
Founded in 2019 by Jessica Schwabach and Siwen Deng, Sundial Foods built its reputation on creating plant-based chicken alternatives that closely mimicked the texture and experience of traditional chicken. The company’s flagship product—a chickpea-based chicken wing—featured seven clean-label ingredients and boasted protein levels comparable to animal-based chicken. Notable innovations included an edible “skin” and a bone-like structure, designed to replicate the sensory aspects of eating conventional chicken.
A Farewell with Gratitude
In a reflective LinkedIn post announcing the closure, Sundial Foods expressed deep appreciation for its supporters and collaborators, stating, “Since 2019, we have strongly believed in the mission of plant-based food and in working to make our planet greener and healthier.” The company emphasized that the sale of its intellectual property to a larger, resource-equipped entity was intended to ensure its innovations could scale and reach broader markets.
Sundial’s journey was bolstered by significant milestones, including a $4 million seed funding round in 2021, which saw participation from Nestlé. This funding enabled the startup to launch its plant-based chicken products in U.S. foodservice markets. Sundial’s chickpea-based chicken wings stood out for their focus on sustainability, simplicity, and culinary experience, gaining attention for their innovative design.
Transferring the Torch
The sale of Sundial’s intellectual property to a European food company represents a shift in the commercialization of its technology. While the buyer remains undisclosed, the move underscores the challenges startups face in scaling production and distribution. Sundial acknowledged this reality in its statement, noting, “While this is the end of our journey as Sundial Foods, the startup, we hope it is the beginning of a larger journey for what we’ve built.”
The intellectual property transfer suggests that Sundial’s vision for sustainable, plant-based food solutions will live on under the stewardship of a larger organization with the capacity to bring its products to a global audience.
Official Dissolution and Legacy
On December 19, 2024, Sundial Foods filed for dissolution with the California Secretary of State, officially bringing its operations to a close. In its farewell message, the company thanked its team, stakeholders, and customers, expressing optimism for the continued development of its innovations.
Though Sundial Foods has shut down, its contributions to the plant-based food industry remain significant. By pushing the boundaries of what plant-based proteins can achieve, the startup has paved the way for future advancements in sustainable food technology. With its intellectual property now in the hands of a larger entity, Sundial’s legacy may continue to shape the plant-based food landscape in meaningful ways.
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